Machine for milling traffic areas

• US 20060039757A1
• Filed: 08/16/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABG Allgemeine Baumaschinen-Gesellschaft mbH (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: ABG Allgemeine Baumaschinen-Gesellschaft mbH (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Lemke, Bernd
• Granted Patent: US 7,510,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/94
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/006 by laser or ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/088 Rotary tools, e.g. milling drums for forming recesses to receive marking materials E01C23/0946

Abstract

A machine for milling traffic areas includes a vertically adjustable chassis which carries a steerable travelling mechanism and a drive unit for moving the machine and for driving a milling mechanism coupled to the drive unit. A laser scanner is attached to at least on one side of the chassis at a height permitting the surface of the traffic area to be measured. The chassis is vertically adjustable relative to the surface of the traffic area in accordance with the measured values. The laser scanner is attached in the center side-wall region of the chassis, with its scanning plane essentially parallel to the side-wall region of the chassis and at a height which permits monitoring of a hazard region which extends at least over the side length of the machine. A trigger signal is produced if a disturbance occurs in the scanning plane.

Claims

1. A machine for milling traffic areas, the machine comprising:

a vertically adjustable chassis carrying a steerable traveling mechanism and a drive unit for moving the machine and for driving a milling mechanism coupled to the drive unit;

at least one laser scanner disposed on a side of the chassis for measuring the height relative to the surface of a traffic area to be milled;

wherein the chassis is adjustable vertically in accordance with the measured values relative to the surface of the traffic area to be milled; and

wherein the laser scanner is attached in a center side-wall region of the chassis, the laser scanner having a scanning plane disposed substantially parallel to the side-wall region of the chassis and at a height adapted for monitoring of a hazard region extending at least over a side length of the machine and producing a trigger signal if a disturbance occurs in the scanning plane.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the trigger signal is useable by a device for emitting at least one of an acoustic and optical warning signal.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the trigger signal is adapted for immediately stopping the machine.

4. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the laser scanner is attached in the top center side-wall region of the chassis.

5. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the laser scanner is arranged approximately halfway up the center side-wall region of the chassis.

6. The machine according to claim 5, wherein the laser scanner is attached under a step to a control platform of the machine.

7. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the laser scanner is attached at a height whereby the hazard region extends beyond the side length of the machine with respect to the front side of the machine.

8. The machine according to claim 7, wherein the hazard region extends beyond the side length of the machine with respect to the rear side of the machine.